Window guard



F. P. MILLER June l2, 1934.

WINDOW GUARD 2 Sheets-Sheet l @"P Filed June l, 1933 affamati June l2,1934. F. P. MILLER 1,952,559

WINDOW GUARD Filed Jun' 1, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 2 I /NVf/VTOR Ffa/wf P./7/L l Ef? www@ Patented June k12, 1934 PATENT GFFICE UNITED STATES 11Claims.

This invention relates to guards especially adapted for use in windowsto afford protection against thieves and prowlers and to preventpersons, particularly small children, from falling through open Windows.

The invention forming the subject of this application contemplates aguard which may be installed in a window frame in a highly convenientand expeditious manner and which when applied, offers security againsthouse-breaking and prevents children who may be playing near the window,from accidentally falling through the window, the invention beingespecially useful in this latter regard in the Windows of upper storiesof private homes and apartment houses.

The invention further contemplates a novel locking arrangement by whichthe guard is made adaptable to windows of various sizes within a ratherwide range and by which the guard is held securely in place.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guard of the characterspecified which is of highly simplified construction, durable in use,and relatively cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved guard applied, parts beingshown in section,

Figure 2 is a horizontalV sectional View taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary group perspective illustrating the connectionbetween a lock bar and the supporting means therefor,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the relation betweenone of the rails and an associated attaching pin,`

Figure 5 is a Vertical transverse sectional View through the l improvedVguard applied,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating theV means bywhich the guard is held in an adjusted and locked position,

Figure 7 is a similar view with the locking element removed.

Figure 8 is a detail vertical sectionalview through the locking andsecuring means embodied in the guard, j

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 94-9 of'Figure 8,

. Figure 10 is a fragmentary group perspective illustratingia slightmodification of theinven- 55' tion,

Figure l1 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating another modificationof the locking means for the improved guard.

In the drawings, the numerals 14 and 16 designate upper and lower rails,respectively. These rails are shown to be channel-shaped in crosssectionand have the flanges thereof presented downwardly so that theaccumulation of dirt, leaves, etc., in the channel of the rails isprevented.

As shown in Figures l and 2, a plurality of spaced parallel pickets 18and 20 are extended through squared openings in the upper and lowerrails and are welded or otherwise secured in position producing a rigidframework affording the desired protection.

' It is illustrated in Figure 1, that each intermediate picketdesignatedby the numeral 20, may bein the nature of two strips locatedside-by-side and having substantial portions of the opposed surfacesflatly in contact and welded or otherwise joined, while the intermediateportions of such strips extend outwardly into engagement with the outerand center pickets 18.` At such points, the pickets 18 and 26 may bewelded togetheror 80 otherwise united for mutual bracing purposes.

From Figure 4, it will be seen that each channel member or rail isprovided at what might be said to be the outer end portion thereof withan attaching pin 26 having a diametrically enlarged S5 inner end portionforming an attaching block 28 snugly fitted within the adjacent channeland secured in place by welding, riveting or other suitable means. It ispreferred that each block 28 shall fill completely the adjacent endportion 90 of the channel within which it is located.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, it will be seen that the severalrails 14 and 16 carry lock bar members 30 and 32 having the outerportions thereof rounded as indicated at 36 to fit within 95 suitablesockets in the window frame, just as do the attaching pins 26. In Figure3 it is illustrated that washers or annular bearing elements 39 are:pressed upon the pins 36 to provide a generous area of Contact with thewindow frame after the fashion suggested in Figure 2. In thisconnection, it will be observed that the shoulders formed between or atthe point of connection of the pins 26 andthe attaching blocks 28thereof provide generous contact surfaces between the rails and theWindow frame. The blocks 28 are flush with the ends of the rails 14 and16 and in this manner provide a substantial area of contact between therails and the frame.

With further reference to the bars 30 and 32 it 110 is pointed out thatthe same are positioned within the channels of the rails and are heldtherein by L-shaped lugs 38 and in the case of the lower locking bar 32,the same is engaged by the angularly extending end portions 39 of a moreor less V-shaped bracing and ornamental bar 40 and the engagement of theportions 39 with the under side of the locking bar 32 assists in holdingthe bar within the channel of the associated rail 16. Incidentally, thebracing member 40 has a central opening receiving the center picket 18and the angularly extending end portions 39 of the 'member 40 are formedwith openings snugly receiving the pickets 20. At the point where thecenter picket 18 and a contiguous picket 20 extend through the bracingmember 40, the meeting parts are joined by welding or other suitablemeans.

In Figures 3 and 6, it is clearly shown that the locking bars 30 and 32are less in width than the channels in which the same are positioned andthat such locking bars extend along the sides of the adjacent pickets.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the upper and lower rails arein effect, extensible allowing the guard to be installed in windows ofdifferent sizes within a generous range. For the purpose of securing theguard in an adjusted and locked position within the window frame afterthe. manner suggested in Figure 1, the opposed sides of the horizontallyextending lock bars 30 and 32 will be found to be provided with teeth,the teeth in the lower locking bar 32 being adapted for interlockingengagement with the teeth at the lower portion of a verticallypositioned locking bolt 46. It is shown in Figures 6 and 7, that thelower rail 16 is provided with a rectangular opening 48 for thereception of the lower portion of the upright locking bolt 46 so thatwhen the bolt is passed through this opening and is brought intointerlocking engagement with the lower horizontally movable locking bar82, disengagement of the interlocking teeth will be prevented.

The upper end portion of the upright locking bolts 46 is provided withteeth adapted to be brought into interlocking engagement with the teethon the under side of the upper horizontally movable locking bar 30. Theinner flange of the upperchannel member 14 is notched as indicated at 50for the passage of the upper portionof the lockingbolt 46`andimmediately below said notc'h the central picket 18 is provided with aU-shaped shackle 52 adapted to be passed through an opening 54 in thelocking element 46 for connection with a padlock 56 or the equivalentthereof, by which the guard is secured in a locked position in a windowframe.

It is clearly shown in Figures 6 and '7 that a U-shaped retainer 60extends about the sides of the central picket 18 opposite the shackle 52and engages the sides of the locking bolt 46 Yto cooperate with theshackle in securing the locking bar against movement.

It is preferred that the U-shaped retainer 60 shall be welded at' thebight portion and at the sides thereof to the adjacent portion of thecentral pickets or otherwise secured thereto. The retainer 60 may alsobe welded or otherwise attached to the lower edges of the flanges of theupper rail 14 and cooperates with the members38 in slidably supportingthe upper locking bar 30. It isshown-in Figure 9 that the bight portionof the retainer 60 extends' over the riveted ends of the U-shapedshackle 52 so as to conceal the same and prevent tampering'therewith.

The first step looking to the installation of the improved window guardin the window frame is to provide the sides of the window frame atappropriate points of course, with openings or sockets for the receptionof the end members 26 and 36. When this has been done it is a simplematter to mount the guard in the window frame so as to position the endmembers 26 in the mating openings thereof and then extend the slidablemembers 30 and 32 to introduce the end portions 36 into the matingopenings thereof. When this has been done it is necessary to mount thelower portion of the locking bolt or member 46 in the socket 48 and thenswing or rock the upper end of the member 46 into interlockingengagement with the teeth of the upper locking bar 30, all of which isclear from a study of Figure 6. It is a simple matter to now engage thepadlock or equivalent locking means with the shackle 52 so as to holdthe slidable members 30 and 32 in the extended positions thereof.

When in place, the guard provides a convenient and reliable means bywhich a window may be allowed to remain open without allowing entry ofprowlers and at the same time preventing children or others fromaccidentally falling through the open window frame.

The arrangement of the intermediate pickets 20, the lower brace 40 andthe upper brace '75 provide a rigid and yet ornamental arrangement whichfits harmoniously in a. window frame.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figure 10, the upright lockingbar is generally designated by the numeral 80, and embodies upper andlower hingedly or pivotally connected sections 82 and 84, theadjacentportions of which are reduced in width and are overlapped forpivotal connection by a pivot element 86. 'I'he upper section 82 isshown to be provided with an opening 88 adapted for the reception orpassage of a shackle 90 carried by the intermediate portion of a picket180, the other parts of the guard being not unlike the illustration inFigures 1 to 9.

It is believed to be clear that in applying the locking bar 80 it is asimple matter to engage the ends thereof with the upper and lowerlocking bars so as to cause the shackle 90 to extend through the opening88 after which a padlock is engaged with the shackle so as to lock theguard in its extended position.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figure 11, the lockingbolt is inthe form of two slidably connected sections 102 and 104 having themeeting portions thereof reduced in width to form overlapping ears 106having transverse openings 108 for the reception of the locking elementof a padlock 110. It is clearly shown in Figure 11, that the lockingsections 102 and 104 are slidably attached to a picket 184 by sleeves186, which sleeves are welded or otherwise secured to the picket. Thepins 190 carried by the 'upper and lower sections 102 and 104respectively, provide for the convenient sliding movement of the lockingsections when released.

To release the locking mechanism shown in Figure 11 the bolt sections102 and 104 are retracted, increasing the overlap of these sections andit will be seen that the adjacent portions of these sections are cutaway sufciently to allow of this.

On the other hand, to apply a guard embodying the locking mechanismshown in Figure 11, the horizontally movable toothed locking bars aremoved outward to engage the ends of the rails and the locking bars withthe window frame, after which the locking sections 102 and 104 areadvanced into locking engagement with the toothed locking bars. Thisbrings the openings in the overlapping sections 102 and 104 intoregistration for the application of the padlock, causing the rails to besecured in the adjusted position so as to hold the guard againstremoval.

The foregoing illustrates that the invention forming the subject of thisapplication is capable of a wide variety of mechanical expressions andtherefore it is to be understood that the forms of invention herewithshown and described are to be taken merely as preferred examples of thesame, and that such minor changes in arrangement and construction ofparts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention andthe scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a window guard, a rail embodying slidably connected telescopingsections, one of said sections being provided with teeth, picketsrigidly connected to said rail, a locking bar associated with one ofsaid pickets having one end portion thereof provided with teeth forinterlocking engagement with said first named teeth, a shackle rigidlyconnected to one of said pickets, said locking bar being provided withan opening for the passage of said shackle, and a lock engaged with saidshackle and having means securing the locking bar in a predeterminedposition with respect to one of said pickets. Y

2. In a window guard, a rail embodying slidably connected telescopingsections, one of said sections being provided with teeth, picketsrigidly connected to said rails, a locking bar having one end portionthereof provided with teeth for interlocking engagement with said firstnamed teeth, a shackle rigidly connected to one of said pickets, saidlocking bar being provided with an opening for the passage of saidshackle, and a lock engaged with said shackle, a second rail havingrigid connection with said pickets and being provided with an openingsnugly receiving one end portion of said locking bar, said second railbeing provided with an extensible section provided with means forinterlocking engagement with said locking bar.

3. In a window guard, a rail embodying slidably connected telescopingsections, one of said sections being provided with teeth, picketsrigidly connected to said rails, a locking bar having one end portionthereof provided with teeth for interlocking engagement with said iirstnamed teeth, a shackle rigidly connected to one of said pickets, saidlocking bar being provided with an opening for the passage of saidshackle, a lock engaged with said shackle, and a U-shaped retainerembracing one of said pickets at opposite sides of said shackle andlocated at opposite sides of said locking bar to cooperate with the lockin securing the locking bar in place, said retainer being in. supportingand retaining relation to one of said sections of said rail.

4. In a guard for window frames, upper and lower .rails having channels,lock bars slidable in said channels, said locking bars of said'railsbeing provided with means to engage a window frame, pickets rigidlysecured to said rails, a locking bolt having teeth at opposite endsthereof, the opposed sides of said locking bars being provided withteeth for selectively interlocking with the teeth of said locking bolt,and means to secure said locking bolt closely against one of saidpickets.

5. In a guard for window frames, upper and lower rails having channels,lock bars slidable in said channels, said locking bars of said railsbeing provided with means to engage a window frame, pickets rigidlysecured to said rails, a locking bolt having teeth at opposite endsthereof, the opposed sides of said locking bars being provided withteeth for selectively interlocking Vwith the teeth of said locking bolt,and means to secure said locking bolt closely against one oi saidpickets, one of said rails being formed with an opening snugly receivingsaid locking bolt and holding the same against lateral movement.

6. In a window guard, a plurality of rails, pickets rigidly secured tothe rails, locking bars slidably carried by the rails, and a lockingelement embodying a pair of pivotally connected sections having means atthe ends thereof for selective locking engagement with said lockingbars, a shackle carried by one of said pickets, and a lock for engagingsaid shackle and having means for securing said locking element in anoperative position.

'7. In a guard for windows, a plurality of rails, locking bars slidablycarried by the rails, pickets connected to the rails, a locking boltslidably carried by one of the pickets and embodying a pair ofoverlapping slidably connected sections, the outer end portions of saidsections being provided with means for selective interlocking engagementwith said locking bars, the inner portions of said sections beingslidably overlapped and having openings for registration, and a lockhaving means passing through said openings.

8. In a guard for use in window frames, upper and lower horizontallyarranged extensible rails, pickets secured to said rails, a rigidone-piece vertically arranged locking bolt having means for engagingsaid upper and lower rails to lock each rail in a predeterminedposition, and means to secure said locking bolt in place.

9. In a guard for use in window frames, upper and lower horizontallyarranged extensible rails, pickets secured to said rails, a rigidonepiece vertically arranged locking bolt having means at the endsthereof for detachably engaging said upper and lower rails to lock eachrail in a predetermined position, and means to secure said locking boltin place.

10. In a guard for use in window frames, upper and lower horizontallyarranged extensible rails, pickets secured to said rails, a rigidonepiece vertically arranged locking bolt having means for engaging saidupper and lower rails to lock each rail in a predetermined position,

and means to secure said locking bolt in place parallel to one of saidpickets.

11. In a guard for use in window frames, upper and lower horizontallyarranged extensible rails, pickets secured to said rails, a rigid onepiece vertically arranged locking bolt having means for engaging saidupper and lower rails to lock each rail in predetermined position, andmeans to secure said locking bolt in place parallel to one of saidpickets, and in engagement therewith.

FRANK P. MILLER.

